A study on diversity of mammalian species using camera traps and associated vegetation in Mizoram University Campus , Aizawl , Mizoram

Fragmented forests often have conservation value, serving as a refuge or corridors for small mammalian species. In the study, the diversity of mammals was studied within Mizoram University (MZU) campus. Forty-eight plant species from 25 families were recorded on different sites. Thirty quadrates were nested at the locations of occurrence of mammalian species for vegetation type analysis. Schima wallichi was the most dominant plant species with the highest IVI values of (31.7%), followed by Aporosa octandra (22.93%) and Castanopsis tribuloide (21.17%). Camera trap method was used to collect information about the mammalian diversity in the campus. The mammalian species recorded in this study makes 15% of mammalian fauna of the state of Mizoram. Twelve mammal species and six bird species were recorded by the camera traps. With proper awareness among residents of the campus and a planned approach for developmental activities, the findings of our study can make an important extension for the coexistence of mammalian species and long term survivability within MZU campus.


INTRODUCTION
The northeastern region of India shares two biodiversity hotspots and has rich mammalian and avian diversity (Choudhury 2006). The state of Mizoram is part of the Indo-Myanmar Biodiversity Hotspot region and harbours 126 species of mammals including 37 threatened species (Lalthanzara 2017). The rapid expansion of shifting cultivation and urbanization in the region has, however, led to a contemporary changes in landscape, forest fragmentation, and ecosystem modification (Teegalapalli et al. 2009;Yadav 2013). Such anthropogenic activities have created a mosaic of remnant forest patches of varying size, demarcated by a network of roads, concerts, and settlements areas (Mazumdar et al. 2011). Recent researches on biodiversity conservation had put urban areas having rich biodiversity into the limelight for the long-term persistence of native species (Ordenana et al. 2010;Lopucki & Kitowski 2017;Hill et al. 2018). Urbanization is often considered to have several negative impacts on the native flora and fauna; nevertheless, it also serves as valuable habitat and corridor for dispersal of certain animal species (Opdam et al. 2003;Fernandez & Simonetti 2013). Urban and semi-urban green forest patches serves as surrogate and refuge habitat to be utilized for dispersal and migration for birds and many small to medium size mammals (Gallo et al. 2017). The role of degraded forest landscapes and patches within the campus of academic institutions as a potential habitat for small mammals and birds has also been acknowledged in some studies (Vallejo et al. 2008;Mazumdar et al. 2011;Voon et al. 2014;Nerlekar et al. 2016).
The camera trap is a useful technique widely used for collecting information on elusive species (Kelly et al. 2008;Linkie & Ridout 2011). Information on species diversity and distribution is considered to be the primary need for conservation activities (Geldmann et al. 2013;Brncic et al. 2015). While information on biodiversity in megacities and large urban areas are easily available, the same is scarce in small cities and educational campuses (Lopucki et al. 2013;Lopucki & Kitowski 2017). Mizoram University (MZU) campus at Aizawl, Mizoram encompasses a large area with lush green landscape having several patches of natural forest vegetation. Although research on herpetofauna (Vanlalhlimpuia 2012), butterfly (Baruah 2017), spiders (Lalthafamkima 2017), and birds (Sailo et al. 2019) are available from MZU campus, no study has been undertaken on the distribution of mammalian species. Therefore, a study was planned to determine the mammalian diversity using mainly camera traps and direct observations within the campus.

Study area
Mizoram University (MZU) is located at the western end of the Aizawl town, the state capital of Mizoram at a distance of about 15km. The campus of MZU is spread in an area of 978.1988 acres and lies between 23.7394 o N & 92.6651 o E. The elevation ranges between 300-880 m. University campus encompasses the administrative block, academic blocks, hostels, and other facilities which are sparsely embedded within regenerating tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests (Image 1). The campus also harbors a protected forested water catchment reserve in the north and a small biodiversity park. In the vicinity of the campus, there are settlement areas, where residents undertake agriculture practice (jhum cultivation), which is the primary source of income and livelihood. Several small natural and seasonal streams also flow through the campus. Vegetation profile is dominated by trees comprised of 384 species of vascular plants from 290 genera and 107 families (Lalchhuanawma 2008;Rai 2016;Sailo et al. 2019). A map of the university is presented in Figure 1.

Vegetation analysis
A preliminary survey of campus area was carried out to select the sampling site for vegetation study. Transects were set up in areas where signs and evidence of animals' presence were observed. For vegetation sampling 10m x 10m quadrates were plotted at every 200m interval along transects for tree diversity analysis. Thirty quadrates were plotted in different sites and only trees having DBH more than 10cm were considered for the analysis (Daniels et al. 1996). Vegetation analysis was done for the relative frequency of occurrence of the species; relative density, relative abundance and important value index (IVI) were determined following methods of Lalchhuanawma (2008) and Ahmed (2012).

Camera trapping
The camera traps are often used for understanding the secretive behavior or nocturnal activity, and estimating animal population comprehensively even at relatively low densities of animals (Ordenana et al. 2010;Gouda et al. 2020). Camera deployment points were chosen based on the presence of visible animal trails, footprints, J TT scats, activity areas such as dens or close to streams (Sasidhran et al. 2016). Nine camera traps (Cuddeback) were randomly deployed at 15 sampling points within the study sites for 45 days as presented in Figure 2. The cameras were installed on a tree trunk at a suitable height of 30-50 cm above the ground at optimum angles based on slope conditions for viewing the animal trails without the camera view being blocked by any objects (Image 1). Camera traps were programmed to take sequential photographs with five seconds delay registering date and time for each exposure. On average the camera traps were operational for five days and were checked every two days for photos and battery replacement. GPS (Garmin map 78S) was also used to record coordinates, elevation, and slope of camera trap locations. The relative abundance index (RAI) value was calculated using the method suggested by Jenks et al. (2011). Whenever possible we also recorded directly observed species especially arboreal ones around the camera trap locations.    (Figure 3).
The mammalian diversity on MZU campus is 19 mammalian species; 12 were captured through camera traps (Table 2) (Image 2) and seven were recorded by direct observations (Table 3). Six bird species were also photo-captured during this study (

Tupaiidae
Tree Shrew Cladobats belangari Least concern 3.33 Shrike were also captured by camera traps in different areas of the campus (Table 4, Image 3).

DISCUSSION
This study can make an important extension in documentation and range of faunal species available within a university campus. The IVI and other quantitative values obtained for different plant species in the study coincide with the findings of Lalramenga (2006) and Lalchhuanawma (2008) that were carried out within the campus. The rich floral diversity plays a key role in supporting both the avifauna and mammalian fauna in the campus. The presence of roadside plants like Ficus benghalensis, F. religiosa, Trema orientalis, Lantana camara, Musa paradise, and Casia auriculata in MZU campus can serve as good habitat and feeding grounds for birds and small mammals as reported by Lalchhuanawma (2008) and Rai (2016).
The undisturbed forest patches within MZU campus appears to support a diverse group of mammalian species. The record of 19 mammalian species in the campus is an evidence of its rich mammalian diversity, which contributes for 15% of the mammalian fauna of the state of Mizoram. Family viverridae is highly diverse in MZU campus; five species of family viverridae were also reported earlier in Mizoram (Lalthanzara 2017). Presence of felids (three species) in the campus also forms 37.5%, as eight fields were previously reported by Lalthanzara (2017) in Mizoram. Species such as Clouded Leopard, Marbled Cat, Golden Jackal, and Ferret Badger not only indicates the potential of the university campus to support the cohabitation and co-existence with mammals but also highlights the values of urban diversity.
The relative abundance index (RAI) indicates that ground dwelling birds such as Khalij Pheasant (male and females) were dominant (RAI= 13.33) and also are the prey species for carnivorous mammals. The mammalian species evident in MZU campus are very rare and may be difficult to record even in a protected forest. Dense shrub forests, tall fruiting trees, and low lying natural streams along the edges of the campus that provides ideal forest J TT    www.threatenedtaxa.org The Journal of Threatened Taxa (JoTT) is dedicated to building evidence for conservation globally by publishing peer-reviewed articles online every month at a reasonably rapid rate at www.threatenedtaxa.org. All articles published in JoTT are registered under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License unless otherwise mentioned. JoTT allows allows unrestricted use, reproduction, and distribution of articles in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.

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